Welcome to the April/May issue of MADRE Speaks Online! I hope you'll join us as we share the latest news from MADRE.

As the Senate continues to debate immigration legislation this week, MADRE reaffirms its commitment to US immigration policy that upholds international human rights standards. The immigration debate needs to be more than a contest between politicians promoting corporate interests (those calling for amnesty) and politicians promoting racist xenophobia (those calling for the wall). The millions of Latin American immigrants in the US testify, above all, to the economic hardships that women and families face in their home countries.

Mass migration is always a symptom of crisis. In this case, the crisis has been exacerbated by US policies like the NAFTA and CAFTA trade deals with Mexico and Central America, which worsen poverty and inequality across the region (read MADRE's paper on free trade agreements). US policy needs to support sustainable, equitable economic growth in Latin America and, at the same time, recognize that freedom of movement across borders is a human right.

This issue of MADRE’s e-newsletter focuses on our work in Iraq, Kenya, and Nicaragua – three of the countries where MADRE is working in support of women’s efforts to create decent conditions and build a brighter future for their families and communities. Our sisters in these countries face military occupation, an AIDS pandemic, and grinding poverty. Yet, with MADRE’s support, they have chosen to confront these threats head-on – and to transform them. They act with a joyful, contagious courage that is attracting more and more women to their efforts and expanding the circle of people who are benefiting directly from MADRE-supported programs.

Despite grim conditions, women of our sister organizations are, day by day, generating victories of determination over despair. I want to thank you for being part of these victories and I invite you to celebrate Mothers’ Day by sharing these victories.

Sincerely,

Vivian Stromberg
Executive Director